Cool Couple

Your Fridge Caters To Your Appetite.

It's Time To Pay Some Attention To Its Needs.

Americans spend a considerable amount of time inside the refrigerator. Not all the way in, maybe. But the hours we log with just our faces hovering at the open door add up.

Seems like most people would know everything about this appliance that anchors the kitchen, keeps most of our food fresh and is the joyful source of the last Popsicle on a hot August night. But it's not always clear to many consumers how to store food in the refrigerator, how to keep it running properly and well-organized. (What is that thing someone wrapped in plastic and stuck in the back of the second shelf?)

With renewed respect for the box that has such an essential role in everyone's lives, cook or not, and which loyally holds onto faded cartoons that stopped being funny 20 years ago, here's a closer look at the refrigerator.

KEEPING THE RELATINSHIP RUNNING SMOOTHLY

This is the time of year Joel Adams really hustles. As the owner of Adams Refrigeration on the North Side, his phone rings constantly in the summer months with pleas from customers with conked-out coolers.

Most people don't pay attention to the fridge until it's floundering: not cooling enough, not cooling evenly or not cooling at all. But with an investment that ranges from $400 to $4,000 for this piece of equipment, it pays to treat it well.

"People leave the refrigerator open, especially kids, and just stand there for a time looking for something to snack on," Adams says. "That lets humidity in and heats it up, so the motor has to (work harder). Or they turn the temperature dial way up (to highest cooling) instead of fixing the problem that's keeping the refrigerator from cooling right. Or they let frost build up in the freezer and try to get rid of it with an ice pick, poking holes."

It's not the heat, it's the stupidity.

Adams, who has repaired about 25,000 refrigerators ("More than I care to remember") in his 18 years in the business, has some tips to keep the refrigerator running smoothly and food cold:

- Keep it clean. One of the biggest problems is dirt and debris that accumulates under or in the back of the refrigerator where the condenser coils lie. Pet hair is a big clogger, along with years of dust and miscellaneous grit that has blown down there. It is possible to keep the area clean by running the hose attachment of your vacuum cleaner near the coilsunplug the refrigerator to keep safe while workingbut consult your owner's manual for best instructions before proceeding.

- Don't overload. If there are too many containers jammed in there, the cold air doesn't have a chance to circulate and chill everything. It also takes time for a refrigerator to regenerate the cold air that escapes every time you open the door.

- Keep it cool. Temperatures inside the unit can be adjusted to your own preference, says Richard Gorney, brand manager for Sears at Six Corners, but there are some basic guidelines. "The freezer temperature should be below 32 degrees; the refrigerator should average 40 degrees or colder," he says. Stick to these temperatures for best food protection and storage. Don't know the temperature? Get a hanging thermometer.

- No peeking. If the power goes out, the fridge interior should stay cool for five to six hours, says Jim Bisconti, owner of A-Besto Appliance Co. in Chicago. Don't open the door to check on your food! Frozen foods can hold for up to two days in a full, free-standing freezer.

When the power returns: Packages that still have ice crystals can be re-frozen. Refrigerated items that are not as perishable, such as condiments, peanut butter, vegetables and hard cheeses, are usually safe if they have been at room temperature for only a few hours. Fresh meat and seafood, dairy products and leftover prepared foods should be discarded if they have been at room temperature for more than two hours.

- Watch the door. The door shelves get more room-temperature exposure than any other part of the fridge and should be used for condiments, soda and other products that aren't refrigerated at the store. Egg shells are quite porous and easily absorb air, heat and odors. Eggs should be kept in their original cartons on a shelf in the back.

- Keep it smelling fresh. Yes, that open box of baking soda can tame some odors in the refrigerator, but for strong smells, it's best to scrub down the shelves and walls. Check the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer for instructions before you start cleaning with soap and water or commercial cleansers; different units may need different care.

And for heaven's sake, throw out those mystery jars, cans and packages that you plan to use "someday."

- Don't freeze up. If ice gets thicker than 1/4 inch in the freezer it will insulate the cold plate that chills things. When ice does build up, don't hack at it yourself; it's time to defrost. Again, consult the manufacturer for defrosting instructions.